Skip to Main Content

The University of Tennessee

University of Tennessee Department of Classics

Frequently Used Tools:



Welcome! » Placement Examns


Foreign Language Placement Exams

Who should take the MFLL Placement Exams?

Anyone who studied either French, German or Spanish in high school and wishes to continue studying that language at the University of Tennessee.

You should NOT take the placement exam if:

  • You will study a language in which you have no previous experience. You should sign up for 111.
  • You are studying Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese or Russian. Exams are not yet provided in those languages. If you have previous experience in one of these languages, you should be advised by Modern Foreign Languages & Literatures faculty.
  • You are a transfer student from another college/university with French, German or Spanish credit on your transcript. You should enroll in the appropriate course at the next level.

MFLL Language Placement Exam Procedures

Please read all of the following information carefully, before coming in to take the exam.

The placement exam is only for students who are enrolled at the University of Tennessee. If you do not fill out the introductory survey your exam will not be evaluated. Students may take a placement exam once only, so please be prepared!

What is the exam like?
The online placement exam is a series of multiple-choice questions focusing on vocabulary, grammar and reading comprehension which takes anywhere from 20 – 40 minutes. The introductory survey must be completed in order for the exam to be evaluated.

Placement Results:
It is important that students enroll in a course that is consistent with their level of expertise. Students should register for the indicated course on their exam. If you have questions regarding placement information, please e-mail Doug Canfield at dcanfie1@utk.edu.

Placement Credit:

  • Students who place into a 200-level class will receive 6 hours of elementary-level credit in that language, with a grade of S.
  • Students who place above the 200-level will receive 6 hours of intermediate-level credit in that language, with a grade of S.
  • Students who are eligible for such credit but who enroll in a course at a lower level than that indicated by their placement test score will forfeit the 6 hours credit.

How to take the exam:

  • You will need to come to the Language Resource Center (LRC), HSS 207 during available open lab hours (see LRC homepage for details), present your VolCard, and sign in on the Placement Exam Sheet. You will then be directed to the computer where you will take the examination. After signing into the computer, you will click on the “PLACEMENT EXAM” desktop icon, and the LRC staff will enter the password for the test site.
  • You will then be asked to select the language in which you wish to be tested. Once you select your language, you will then be asked to enter your name and student ID number. You are also required to supply an e-mail address to verify identity and initiate a test record file. You also need to answer the survey questions on the remainder of the page. Once the identification and survey information is entered, the computer prepares you for the test. The first screen briefly explains that you are to respond to multiple choice questions by typing and confirming the letter of the correct answer. The exam takes approximately 20-40 minutes to complete depending on your level. To ensure you have understood the instructions, a sample test item is given.
  • After this screen the actual test begins. As you proceed through the test, the computer selects and displays items based upon your previous responses. At the conclusion of the test, the computer displays your performance level and immediately advises you of the class that appears most suited to your level. Once you complete the placement exam, your scores will be sent directly to the Department of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures.

Special Cases and Proficiency Exams

Students who have acquired proficiency in a foreign language through heritage, travel, etc. and do not have high school credit for that language should take a proficiency exam for college credit.

Whom Should You Contact?


For the Spanish proficiency exam, please contact:
     Dr. Dolly Young
     Phone: (865) 974-6992
     E-mail: djyoung@utk.edu

For the French proficiency exam, please contact:
     Dr. Sebastien Dubreil
     Phone: (865) 974-4787
     E-mail: sdubreil@utk.edu

For the German proficiency exam, please contact:
     Dr. Nike Arnold
     Phone: (865) 974-0664
     E-mail: mnarnold@utk.edu

Helpful Links To Prepare For The Placement Exams

Spanish

French